help on planning a trip to the "ring"

BretLuter · **Posted:** Mon Jan 16, 2012 5:54 pm

RodneyWright wrote:

So a little research has shown that renting a "normal" car and driving on the ring is a HUGE no-no. Most of the rental car companies install GPS's in their cars now. Once they detect you've been on the Nurburgring, you're banned from renting a car....period. At least the info from the website Nurburgring for dummies.

Not trying to dissuade you from renting a track-prepped car, but from the info I saw on that site, they said that Hertz and some other companies don't allow their cars to go on the 'ring. I think you can probably still find a "normal" rental car that you can legally take on the 'ring, if you want to go that route. There are a TON of different car-rental companies to choose from.

Brian Marks · **Posted:** Mon Jan 16, 2012 9:11 pm

RodneyWright wrote:

> What companies should I contact for car rental and what should I rent?
> helmets required? If so, that limits what I can rent
> Places to stay near the track?
> who to contact for the ring taxi?

The slowest car you can rent will still be a fun car. Most of the track is blind and I don't care how well you know it, if you combine the armco and the serious, scary kerbing, you will be fine in even a 318i (diesel). Don't ask me how I know!

Helmets not required but surely can't hurt to have one on! Accidents happen all the time there, several times per day and especially on tourist days. There are no rules and you can see anything from a city bus to a scooter to a minivan out there.

8 laps is a LOT. You'll be exhausted even more than having spent a whole day at VIR.

I believe ring taxi has a website but am not sure what they are using these days (nor if it matters - any proper ride with someone who knows what they are doing has gotta be a blast).

I took a 3-day school there in 2004 and it was a blast, but even after that I still didn't memorize the whole course. I don't do well with memorization, though. Even playing video games didn't help, since the elevation is so much more serious in person and the track feels very different at speed in a real car than when there are no consequences for hitting things.

I have a ton of pics if you want to see any.

BretLuter · **Posted:** Mon Jan 16, 2012 9:37 pm

Just watch this lap video a couple thousand times and you'll be fine...

http://youtu.be/OzpJtmNNal4

(yes, he's driving a BMW and no, there is no CEL visible on the dash.....)

:thumbsup:

Dustin Fredrickson · **Posted:** Mon Jan 16, 2012 11:36 pm

Colin O'Connell and family were there last year, as I recall - might be another good source of info....

Malia helped them with their trip, and just in case you didn't know, Clear Waters Travel is connected to one of the larger Travel Networks, and works closely with vendors who specialize in European travel, among other things. CWT is also a 2012 THSCC Sponsor... :wink:

Arthur McDonald · **Joined:** Fri Aug 29, 2003 1:54 am **Posts:** 2052

RodneyWright wrote:

JohnByers wrote:

Rodney, now I mean this in the utmost sincerity. You suck!

Def on my bucket list!

Thank you! :mrgreen:

I don't ever foresee ever going back, so might as well make the most of it. Credit cards be damned!

I second John Byers. Two observations:

One of the rental agencies that Patrice recommended used the term "Touristenfahrten" to describe what you plan to do. A certain ex-pres would be very proud!

"I don't ever foresee ever going back". Ever? (That's what I said about returning to the Pebble Beach Concours, and now I'm up to 4 trips)

Arthur McDonald · **Joined:** Fri Aug 29, 2003 1:54 am **Posts:** 2052

RobLupella wrote:

OH yeah, one more thing. You might want to check out the Ring Taxi, nothing like getting a ride around the fast way with Sabine :lol:

Well, it's not a cheap 9 minutes.... 195 euros, but probably worth it.

http://www.nuerburgring.de/angebote/fah ... -taxi.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNemK-xKfZY

ColinOConnell · **Posted:** Tue Jan 17, 2012 10:58 am

We did do the ring last summer. I'll post some details tonight.

RobLupella · **Posted:** Tue Jan 17, 2012 1:23 pm

Sabine Schmitt in a ring "taxi"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KiC03_wVjc

Patrice Bousquet · **Posted:** Mon Jan 23, 2012 10:25 am

Rodney

For your trip since you are in vacation and probably more free for available day what about a track day?
The June 18 they have one from 8am to 1pm see link below.
They say " The long straight (Doettinger Hoehe) is open for drive through" that's interesting.

http://www.trackdays.de/event1-8062012.html

Both car rental company have page about track days.

http://www.rent4ring.de/en/info/track-days.html

http://www.rent-racecar.de/english/trackdays/index.htm

They even have an instructors available. I'm suggesting taking one for one hour, preferably the first hour, that should be enough.
You should be able to do 4 laps with him during that hour.
The number of cars being limited is a huge plus. On tourist day traffic can be really bad, just see my previous post.
You should be able to do easily 12 laps during that time.
I really think you should have a close look at this.

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Mon Jan 23, 2012 11:24 am

Patrice Bousquet wrote:

Rodney

For your trip since you are in vacation and probably more free for available day what about a track day?
The June 18 they have one from 8am to 1pm see link below.
They say " The long straight (Doettinger Hoehe) is open for drive through" that's interesting.

http://www.trackdays.de/event1-8062012.html

Both car rental company have page about track days.

http://www.rent4ring.de/en/info/track-days.html

http://www.rent-racecar.de/english/trackdays/index.htm

They even have an instructors available. I'm suggesting taking one for one hour, preferably the first hour, that should be enough.
You should be able to do 4 laps with him during that hour.
The number of cars being limited is a huge plus. On tourist day traffic can be really bad, just see my previous post.
You should be able to do easily 12 laps during that time.
I really think you should have a close look at this.

This is GREAT news! What a great way to spend you birthday! I thought I could only do the tourist days, but I'll research this. Thanks Patrice!!!

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Tue Jan 31, 2012 2:17 pm

I've contacted both rent race car and rent 4 ring in regard to the track day. Looks like this is going to happen. Rent race car has responded and June 18th is going to be a track day from 8-1 that Monday. Talking w/ them now and soon to make a deposit on the car. All I need to do now is find a suzuki swift so I can sit in it and see if I fit. Helmets are required on their track days.

Stay tuned.

BretLuter · **Posted:** Wed Feb 01, 2012 3:07 am

RodneyWright wrote:

I've contacted both rent race car and rent 4 ring in regard to the track day. Looks like this is going to happen. Rent race car has responded and June 18th is going to be a track day from 8-1 that Monday. Talking w/ them now and soon to make a deposit on the car. All I need to do now is find a suzuki swift so I can sit in it and see if I fit. Helmets are required on their track days.

Stay tuned.

I have a Suzuki Swift GT, but it's a 1991 model........

Make yourself fit, it will be worth it....

:thumbsup:

Jason Mauldin · **Posted:** Wed Feb 01, 2012 8:45 am

BretLuter wrote:

I have a Suzuki Swift GT, but it's a 1991 model........

Post pics, please.

Patrice Bousquet · **Posted:** Wed Feb 01, 2012 9:48 am

RodneyWright wrote:

I've contacted both rent race car and rent 4 ring in regard to the track day. Looks like this is going to happen. Rent race car has responded and June 18th is going to be a track day from 8-1 that Monday. Talking w/ them now and soon to make a deposit on the car. All I need to do now is find a suzuki swift so I can sit in it and see if I fit. Helmets are required on their track days.

Stay tuned.

This is great, the Suzuki is having sport seat, from the car I had in the pass from them this is more a racing seat. So they might be install lower in the car just ask them.
Say hello to Heidi and Theo for me.
As for staying over there you might want to look where I stay.

http://hilberath.w-web.de/pages/englisch/main.php

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Wed Feb 01, 2012 1:31 pm

oh my Lord, this is getting expensive quick. Track day isn't cheap, 469 euro's. On top of that is car rental and gas. Right now I'm looking at slightly less than $1200 for about 14 laps. I hate to spend that kind of money, but man, I hate to miss this opportunity. As Patrice stated, the upside is no forced stops like on public days. You can continue your laps and not have to stop. Rent 4 ring is offer 2 extra laps over the 12 that rent race cars is offering. Hard to pass up that offer. I plan on going home absolutely spent. Time to get into shape again and get the cardio rolling. Total Gym, here I come.

THSCC Forums

help on planning a trip to the "ring"

Who is online